News

BPD remembers K9 Hutch

It is with great sadness that the Beaumont Police Department reports that K9 Hutch passed away on Jan. 24. Hutch became suddenly ill and was rushed to the hospital, where he passed away in the early morning hours with his handler and family by his side. K9 Hutch was born March 13, 2008 in Belgium.

Handyman arrested for beating elderly client

Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll reported that, after being on the lam for only a matter of hours in the stolen auto he took from his victim, 40-year-old Jason Lee Brown was behind bars Jan. 25 for assaulting and robbing a 74-year-old woman who had hired him to do odd jobs around her home.

Evans to retire from Lamar University

Lamar University’s fifteenth president, Dr. Kenneth Evans, has announced his retirement from LU effective June 30, 2021. Evans informed Dr. Brian McCall, the chancellor of the Texas State University System, which Lamar University is a member.

BISD unauthorized to add name change to May ballot

Less than a week after hearing board exasperation at further discussing the renaming of BISD Memorial Stadium, trustees learned they lack the legal authority to add the matter to the May ballot.

Beaumont confirm 44 new COVID-19 cases Jan. 25

Beaumont confirmed 44 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths Jan. 25, according to data from the city's Public Health Department. According to data from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Jefferson County has confirmed 16,406 cases and 285 deaths as of Jan. 25.

Beaumont man sentenced to 18 years for drunken accident

Jefferson County Criminal District Attorney Bob Wortham announced Jan. 25 that Orlando Morris, 34, was sentenced by Criminal District Court Judge John B. Stevens to serve 18 years in Texas prison following a guilty plea.

Southeast Texas officials ready to vaccinate 11,000 a week once doses arrive

Southeast Texas officials gathered in Jefferson County Jan. 25 to announce their preparedness to vaccinate up to 11,000 residents a week, but admitted uncertainty in the timeline of beginning such an endeavor due to a nationwide demand surpassing its supply.

Orange reports double homicide

Jan. 23, just after 2:30 a.m., officers of the Orange Police Department were dispatched to the 2300 block of Coronado about a shooting victim. Officers arrived and located two persons with gunshot wounds. Thalamus Livings, 23, was deceased at the scene.

Vidor woman sentenced to federal prison

A 62-year-old Vidor woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei Jan. 25. Catherine Ardis pleaded guilty on Sep.

Eastern DOJ recovers nearly $70 million from forfeitures

Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced Jan. 25 that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX) collected $68,064,639.91 in criminal, civil, and asset forfeiture actions in 2020.  In criminal cases, EDTX collected $6,587,484.